Yamaha India to launch new 125cc bike Saluto in second half of April

ZigWheels has learnt that the launch of the new bike will take place in the second half of April and an official communication from Yamaha is expected in a few days.

The new bike could be a new 125cc bike Yamaha has been developing for some time now called Saluto, according to recent reports. Yamaha already has two models in the 125cc space – the SS125 and the YBR125, but these bikes have not had much market success in the 125cc segment, dominated by Honda and Hero MotoCorp.

In all likelihood, the YBR125 will slowly be phased out, to be replaced by the Saluto. According to Yamaha dealers, the YBR 125 has been a slow seller and numbers of new units from Yamaha factories have also been slow.

The Saluto is expected to be priced between Rs 60,000-62,000 and will be powered by the same 125cc engine that the current models (SS125 and YBR125) uses, but now retuned and powered by Yamaha’s Blue Core technology. Just last week, Yamaha upgraded its scooter range with Blue Core technology, which, the company says, offers better performance and fuel economy.

Yamaha’s current 125cc engine produces 11PS of power and 10.5Nm of torque, respectable enough for a 125cc bike. What Yamaha hopes, the new bike will help achieve, is more sales in the 125cc segment, which has not quite been Yamaha’s strong point. With Blue Core engine technology, Yamaha will be looking to market the new bike with better fuel efficiency figures than the current offerings.

(Image courtesy: Motorbeam)